This column originally ran April 13, 2012.
It is not that the Asian culture is generally smarter than Americans (that opinion comes from an American and is probably not shared by Asians!); however, their practice of drinking tea over soda makes you stop and wonder! Although the health benefits of tea have been professed for centuries, only lately have the medicinal properties been scientifically investigated. As far as the health benefits of soda – sorry, but there are none. Zero.
Not only can a hot cup of green tea be relaxing, soothing and help you sleep, there’s more evidence that it might be instrumental in preventing cancer of all kinds.
Studies have found an association between drinking green tea and a reduced risk for several types of cancers, including skin, breast, lung, colon, esophagus and bladder.
Researchers recently found that EGCg – a compound of green tea, inhibits the enzyme needed for many cancers to grow and spread. Green tea not only killed that enzyme, but the study also concluded that consuming more than four cups of green or black tea a day could provide enough of the active compound to prevent the growth of new cancer cells.
Research has also shown that the antioxidants in green, black and oolong teas can help block the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, and improve artery function.
While both green and black teas possess substantial health benefits, green tea packs a bigger punch because of the way it is produced.
All tea is derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, but with black tea, the leaves are rolled and withered indoors, which causes oxidation of most of the active substances in the leaves. Green tea leaves, however, are steamed, thereby preserving the natural active substances of the leaf.
Suggestions for tea drinking:
• How much should you drink? Among cultures in which green tea is popular, the typical amount is three cups per day.
• The best way to get the disease-fighting nutrients in tea is to drink it freshly brewed after allowing it to steep for three to five minutes. Decaffeinated, bottled ready-to-drink tea preparations, and instant teas have less of these compounds.
Raise your cup!
Drinking green tea could also keep you from that awful dentist’s drill. It contains a natural fluoride that helps prevent cavities and strengthens tooth enamel. It also helps eliminate oral bacteria that can lead to halitosis (bad breath).
If you have never taken to the habit of drinking hot tea, maybe now is a good time to start. Green tea has quite a “different taste”, and not so much liked, but there are many flavors of green tea nowadays. My advice is to start with one of the flavored ones, and poured over ice is usually easier to get accustomed too than hot. I love to drink a cup of hot tea when I go to bed at night. It is quite soothing.
However, if you aren’t a tea drinker, it might take acquiring a taste for, but that won’t take long. Experiment with the millions of flavors out there. One of my favorites is Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea. You don’t even realize it is green tea. You might be surprised! You’ll definitely
be healthier! v